Tia Cochran-Otis

Tia Cochran-Otis is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of professional experience in roles serving people who are underserved by our systems and disproportionately vulnerable to harm. Committed to a community-centered approach to social issues, Tia is an ambassador for Restorative Justice (RJ) principles and practices and is driven to create collaborative systems of care. She was a leader in advocating for the needs of system-involved youth and their families while serving as an administrator in juvenile justice mental health in Ventura County. Both an administrator and a clinician, Tia navigated the clinical and systemic challenges of assessing needs and implementing culturally relevant interventions and training. Successful implementation required ongoing, highly-valued partnerships with a diverse range of disciplines and systems.

As a clinical social worker, Tia has served in inpatient, outpatient, and forensic treatment settings while providing consultation and training to local communities and organizations. Additionally, Tia has dedicated herself to the education and development of future social workers, serving in both full-time and adjunct faculty positions in undergraduate and graduate social work education. She engages students in critical inquiry while exposing them to the power of person-centered, evidence-based approaches.

Tia earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and ethnic studies from California Lutheran University, her master’s degree in social work from Boise State University, and, most recently, a graduate certificate in restorative practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices. As a member of the Catalyst Center and California Alliance team, Tia is eager to employ her passion, education, and experience to support the well-being of our communities and promote social justice.